Rear-end signaling device for motor-driven vehicles



W. H. CASHlN REAR END SIGNALING DEVICE FOR MOTOR DRIVEN VEHICLES FiledApril 25, 1921 9" we 11 to:

I @u'cmu Patented Dec. 9, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1,518,696 PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. CASHIN, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

REAR-END SIGNALING DEVICE FOR MOTOR-DRIVEN VEHICLES.

Application filed April 25, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. CAsi-IiN, citizen of the United States,residing at Detroit, county of Vayne, State of Michigan, have inventeda. certain new and useful Improvement in Rear-End Signaling Devices forMotor-Driven Vehicles, and declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the same, such as will enable others skilled inthe art towhich it pertains to make and use the same, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to an improved rearend signaling device for motordriven vehicles adapted to be automatically. operated through theapplication of the braking mechanism of the vehicle when slowing down orupon coming to a stop,that drivers of cars directly following may bewarned in time to avoid a rear-end collision.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a simple andinexpensive device which may be readily installed without the aid ofskilled mechanics and which may be simultaneously operated through theapplication of the foot lever con-trolling the opera tion of the brakes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction whichwhile controlled by the movement of the brake r0d,its successfuloperation is not affected by the vibration of the latter or other partsof the vehicle as might be the case if it were direct- 1y connectedtherewith.

With the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention further resides in the combinationand arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterde scribed and claimed, it being understood that changes may be made inthe precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed withoutdeparting from the spirit of the same.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional elevation and diagrammatic view of amotor driven vehicle with the signaling device installed thereon.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the electric switch controlling the signalingdevice and also the bracket by which the switch is supported upon thetransmission gear case, or other suitable member.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the same.

Serial No. 484,283.

Figure 4-. is an elevationof the switch with its cover removed, showingalso an arm carried by the brake rod, for controlling the upon theapplication of the foot lever. operation of the switch which is closedFigure 5 is a similar view showing the switch open,as when the footlever is re leased. I

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the switch taken on or about line 66 ofFigure 4.

Referring now to the letters of reference placed upon the drawings; I

A, denotes an automobile, B, indicates a brake mechanism, and Cdesignates a rod connecting the foot lever D with the brake mechanism.E, indicates the enclosing case of an electric switch supported by abracket F bolted to the transmission case or other suitable support. Thebracket F is provided with slots f for the passage of the bolts by whichit is'secured to its support. f are slots in a depending arm of thebracket to receive the bolts which secure the cover on the enclosingcase of the switch and also the case to the bracket. Housed within thecase is a U-shaped guide or member Gr, insulated from the wall of thecasing by a fiber lining K, or other insulation. The end walls G of theguide member G, are slotted for the passage of a bolt I, formed of sheetmetal with its outer end I bent laterally to provide a broad bearingsurface to receive the thrust of an arm J, secured to the brake rod C,by a bolt J. L, L, are springs engaged at one end to hooks z', z, struckup from the body of the bolt I, and at the other end with hooks 9carried by the guide member. M, is a swinging arm pivoted to the post N,of the terminal N, adapted to bear against the post P of the terminal P.M is a pin extending through the bolt I and through a slot on in theswinging arm. R, indicates a wedge shaped spring formed of sheet metalhaving one end secured to the post P by a nut P its free end beingforked to straddle the post P. S, denotes a signal light su ported uponthe rear fender of the vehic e or other support. T is a batterydiagrammatically indicated in the electric circuit U, connecting theswitch with the signal light, and V shows the same grounded to the frameof the vehicle.

Having thus indicated the several parts by reference letters theconstruction and operation of the device will be readily understood.

It will be assumed that the arm J has been so positioned upon the brakerod that it will bear upon the bolt I, to maintain the switch in itsopen position while the brake mechanism is released. Upon applyingpressure to the foot lever I) to set the brake, the arm will. be carriedforward releasing the bolt I whereupon the springs L, L, will operate toclose the switch through the swinging arm M, and thereby light thesignal lamp S, which if desired may be intermittently flashed by thedriver by alternately applying and releasing the foot lever. The driversof cars following the vehicle equipped with my signaling device are thuswarned that the vehicle is slowing down or is about to stop in time toavoid a rear end collision.

Having thus described my invention what I claim visz- 1. A signal formotor vehicles comprising a casing, a guide member supported within thecasing but insulated therefrom and having openings therein, a springactuated bolt normally closing the circuit slidably mounted in theopenings in the guide member and projected beyond one end of the casing,a swingingarm pivoted to one of the terminals of the switch and havingan operable connection with the sliding bolt, a binding post, a secondterminal comprisinga substantially wedged shaped contactspring securedto the post and having a bifurcated free end adapted to straddle thepost, and means on the brake rod of the vehicle for engaging theslidable bolt to open the circuit.

2. A signal for motor vehicles comprising a switch adapted to control anelectric circuit including a casing, an inverted U- shaped guide membertherein provided with openings and having a tongue struck therefrom, abolt provided with a tongue-slidably carried in the openings in thegulde member and having one end projecting beyond the casing, a swingingarm pivoted to one ter minal of the switch and operably connected to thebolt, a second terminal for the switch adapted to contact with theswinging arm when in closed position, springs secured to the tongues onthe guide member and sliding bolt for urging the pivoted arm to closedposition and an arm carried by the brake rod of the vehicle adapted tocontact with the projecting end of the bolt and open the circuit whenthe brake pedal is released.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specification in the presence of twowitnesses.

\VILLIi-XM H. CASHIN. lVitnesses S. 'E. THOMAS, IDA GoRnN.

